Doylestown Republicans Endorse Candidates For Township Supervisor

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Doylestown Republican Committee has unanimously endorsed Joseph Van Houten and Rob Caroselli for two open seats on the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors.

In announcing their candidacy, Van Houten and Caroselli said they are committed to returning the township to fiscal responsibility, pointing out that the Democrats on the board have raised property taxes 37 percent over the past two years, far outpacing the record-high inflation rate during the same time period.

“Doylestown Township is a wonderful place to live but is quickly becoming unaffordable under the failed leadership of Democrats. Doylestown Township needs leaders who will focus on fiscal responsibility, sound decision making, and engage and listen to the needs of community members,” said the Republican Committee's Communications Chair Ed Sheppard. “The Township GOP Committee members voted to endorse the two candidates most qualified to achieve this goal: Joe Van Houten and Rob Caroselli.”

Joe Van Houten

Joseph Van Houten is President and Chief Executive Officer of HKS Global Resources, an international company providing import agent services for clients lacking a foreign buying office

After graduating from Rutgers University with honors, Van Houten launched a career in retail management. That eventually led to a vice president of product development and marketing position with a prominent consumer products company manufacturing and importing products from Asia. In this position, he gained experience in manufacturing processes throughout the United States, Asia and Europe while working with factories to increase efficiencies and overall productivity.

Van Houten went on to run an import buying agency with offices throughout Asia, with clients including Fortune 500 companies and the United States military. He then founded his own consumer products company with a partner in Hong Kong and in 2017 acquired the import buying agency he ran from 2003-2007.

Van Houten said he believes in serving his community, being socially responsible, and making a positive impact. He served on an advisory committee to the National Sanitary Foundation where he helped develop protocols establishing manufacturing standards for consumer products. He also served on the Industry Affairs Committee for the International Housewares Association, a not-for-profit, full-service trade organization promoting the sales and marketing of housewares since 1938. In addition, Van Houten was selected to represent the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong during 2016 meetings with members of the United States Congress, Departments of State and Commerce. He is also active in the community, holding senior positions on several boards.

“I have over 25 years of experience working on township boards and committees, which provides valuable first-hand knowledge of the day-to-day details that will help me hit the ground running on day one as your supervisor. This is especially true when being responsible for managing our hard-earned tax dollars,” said Van Houten. “As your township supervisor, I will stress fiscal responsibility when reviewing capital projects and budgets, properly maintain roads and infrastructure, support our first responders, and ensure all residents have valued input before any decisions are made.”

Rob Caroselli

Rob Caroselli is a retired teacher and principal who said he will bring a background in innovative leadership and data-driven approaches to the role of township supervisor. A fiscal conservative and expert in streamlining operations, Caroselli said he will also offer a fresh look at how the township government can best serve the residents.

Caroselli said his experience overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, managing staff, and building relationships with community partners makes him uniquely qualified to serve as the next township supervisor. Caroselli said he will use his leadership skills to engage stakeholders and work towards common goals of safer streets, a more vibrant economy, and a more responsive local government.

Caroselli and his wife of 24 years, MaryEllen, have three boys who have flourished in the Central Bucks schools. He can often be found on the fields of CB West cheering on his sons' football and baseball teams. Caroselli has always played an active role in his community, holding various coaching positions in his son's sports organizations. He is invested in keeping the community a safe place where families like his own can afford to thrive.

“I will provide transparency for Doylestown Township residents,” said Caroselli. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that taxpayers are informed on how their hard-earned money is spent. And that the safety of our township residents remains a top priority during my term.”